Omg Will he die?

[quigleysmom]

Ok I bought a 4 month old leatherback at the reptile show from a reputible breeder. When we got him home he started making noises like a croak. I contacted the breeder right away who said he was healthy before the show. I was finally able to see the vet today who diagnosed an URI. He was put on a tiny dose of antibiotic so I thought I would be helping my new beardie by giving him a small dose of probiotic and a little bit of Reptaid to help with the URI. Well half way through dosing him he goes limp. His abdomin was caved in on one side and he stopped breathing. What the heck? I turned him down at almost a 90 degree angle with his head pointed down and started tapping and massaging his back. he finally took a big breath but stopped again. After stimulating him a another minute or so he finally started breathing on his own again.

Now I am scared you know what less that I have just condemed him to die of pnumonia. I am so scared to give him anything else in a syringe. He is so tiny and I almost killed him. The vet said they cant really do anything if he as asperated it into his lungs except put him on oxygen. I dont know what do do at this point. I am so mad at this breeder I could screem. The vet said that a URI doesnt just come on in less than half an hour. He must have had it for a while based on the amount of crackle he heard in his lungs.

What do I do for him to keep him from dying from my stupidity?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I am sorry that this has happened to you!
The best thing is to keep his tank like an incubator right now, warm & dry. Do you have a small tank that you can put him in right now, to help keep the environment stable more than his regular tank?
I would try to keep the tank around 80 over night as well.
How big is your dragon right now? He probably did aspirate some into his lungs. At night, lay him on a slight decline to help with any fluids that may need to drain out.
Short of putting him on oxygen & taking him back to the vet, there is not anything else you can do at the moment, but help get his immune system boosted up.
Is he eating anything right now?

Tracie

 

[quigleysmom]

So far he has stayed on one spot and not eatin anything since it happened. We are leaving him alone for now and just checking on him frequently. His night time temps stay around 97 due to a CHE.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I am glad that he is stable right now. Make sure that he doesn't get too hot at night. Maybe lower the nighttime temps to 80 but no higher than 85 just so he doesn't get heat stress & or dehydrated.
I hope that he is doing better today!

Tracie

 

[quigleysmom]

Thanks. Is it ok to still give him baths to make sure he is hydrated?

 

[quigleysmom]

So far so good. He made it through the night and woke up hungry. He has inhaled all the roaches I have put in with him. So far he has only coughed once and I was able to give him his medicine with out him gagging on it.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How are things going today?
Great, so he did eat for you then? You might want to put off bathing for a few more days just in case he might be fighting a respiratory issue. If he is all back to normal next week, then you can start bathing him again on monday. This is just a precaution since the weather is colder right now.
I hope he continues to improve for you!

Tracie

 

[quigleysmom]

The vet put him on .03 ml twice per day of trimethoprim sulfa suspension. He weighs 36 grams. I was wondering if that is the correct medicine and dosage for URI? Also, he won't drink any other time so the vet recommended soaking him for 5 minutes per day. Any other way I can keep him hydrated? He won't eat his greens yet.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Do you happen to know the concentration of the Meds? I can double check that for you, it looks like it might be a bit high, but it will depend on the strength of the solution.
Well, if you do soak him, make sure there are no drafts in the room so he doesn't get chilled. Other than oral fluids, that is the only other way he can get some hydration.

Tracie

 

[quigleysmom]

Well he is doing much better. He is not croaking anymore and he is not making the popping noise either. He is also running around his tank like a little lunatic and eating like crazy. The poor little guy is also going through a shed at the moment around his face so he has had it bad all around. I am glad he seems to be feeling better. I am going to assume we are out of the weeds as long as I continue the meds.

I know some will not agree with me, but after talking with Elliot at reptaid.com I chose to not use the antibiotics. I am using the reptaid instead. He is really responding well to it. I chose to do the reptaid because he was also diagnosed with coccida and the vet did not want to treat for it until the respiratory issue was cleared up.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is great he is doing better now, & is very active!
Not using antibiotics sometimes is better than using them. It greatly depends on the situation & each case is different. I hope that he is feeling better soon!

Tracie

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is great he is doing better now, & is very active!
Not using antibiotics sometimes is better than using them. It greatly depends on the situation & each case is different. I hope that he is feeling better soon!

Tracie

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is great he is doing better now, & is very active!
Not using antibiotics sometimes is better than using them. It greatly depends on the situation & each case is different. I hope that he is feeling better soon!

Tracie

 

[quigleysmom]

Well so far so good. Skittles gained 5 grams in the first week that we have had him. He has been eating great and is showing signs of being a picky eater. Anyway he is doing great on the Reptaid. I am using the xl, but Elliott at reptaid.com told me how to dilute it and what ml to give him. The only thing I am worried about is he is suddenly dark in color again and showing the stress marks on his belly. I dont know if it is a sign that he is getting sicker or not. He has stopped coughing and is very active so I dont know if I should worry or not.

 

[quigleysmom]

Well my little guy is doing great. Still not eating a lot, but at least he is eating. I think he is going to make it!